DOST launches Iron Fortified Rice in Ilocos Norte

The Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Ilocos Norte conducted a Techno Forum on the New and Improved Technology of Iron Fortified Rice recently at the Mariano Marcos State University-Hostell Conference Room.

The forum aimed to scale-up the production of iron fortified rice (IFR) nationwide by increasing more adoptors of the technology and consumer of IFR as well.

It responded to the mandate of the Department of Science and Technology-Food Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) to diffuse knowledge and technologies in food and nutrition and provide S&T services to relevant stakeholders.

Racky Doctor, President of Nutridense Manufacturing Corporation located in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan said, it is not the profit that matters, but the techno-transfer that the DOST-FNRI is doing which could make a great difference in eradicating extreme malnutrition in the country.

Envisioned by DOST-FNRI to have optimum nutrition for all Filipinos, Doctor noted that they are currently disseminating information across the country.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jonathan Viernes, Provincial Director of PSTC Ilocos Norte discussed the benefits of Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and the process of adoption of FNRI’s technology to the participants. He also expressed his commitment and full support for the awareness and implementation of IFR in the province.

The forum was participated by the Provincial Nutrition Action Officers, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers of the different municipalities in the province in partnership with DOST-FNRI. (Kent Jerico Ramil/ Project Assistant I)